Fireproof partition framework



NOV. 10, `19.70 R, LAVALLEY ETAL 3,538,658

FIREPROOF PARTITION FRAMEWORK Filed Dec. 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov.10,1970 R. LAVALLEY ET AL 3,538,658

Fmmrnoov PARTITION FRAMEWORK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 11, 1968 NOV.10,A 1970 f R, LAVAL-LEY 'ETALR 3,538,658

FIREPROOF PARTITION FRAMEWORK y Filed Dec. 11', 196s s sheets-sheet sUnited States Patent O 3,538,658 FIREPROOF PARTITION FRAMEWORK RogerLavalley, Pantin, and Ren Tisn, Arcueil, France,

assgnors to Agence de Realisations et dEtudes Commerciales (A.R.E.CO.),Paris, France, a company of France Filed Dec. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 782,916Claims priority, applicatizoilisgrauce, Dec. 13, 1967,

13 Int. Cl. E04b 1/62, 2/62; E04c 3/22 U.S. Cl. 52--232 20 ClaimsABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A framework, the elements of which consist ofa Z- shaped sectional member each side of which exhibits along itsedges, two longitudinal spaced portions having a total width at leastequal to the third of that of said sectional member, and a pair ofcovering frames fastened by screws or bolts onto two opposite faces ofsaid Z-shaped sectional member with the interposition of a strip ofinsulating material and the flanges of which hold filling panels byclamping same.

The present invention relates to the building of partition constructionsor assemblies comprising uprights, posts or standards, cross-members orbeams and other like framework elements for holding, bearing orsupporting panels and other filling structures and is more particularlyconcerned with a new framework for a fireprof or fire-guard typepartition meeting or complying with regulation standards for makingbuildings of great height.

Although it is relatively easy to impart to filling panels or boardsoutstanding insulating properties, it is on the contrary diiiicult toavoid that their framework, consisting necessarily of stiff and mostlymetallic elements, forms a thermal and acoustical shunt locallyproducing weakened lines in the insulation.

The object of the invention is therefore the provision of a framework inparticular for iireproof partitions the el( ments of which exhibitbuilt-in insulating characteristics similar to those of filling panelsor boards thereby allowing to provide partitions adapted to efficientlyoperate, act or perform their function as fire-arresters for at leastone hour in case of outbreak of a fire within a room having a thermalload of 9 B.t.u./sq. ft., the temperature differential between bothsides of the partition being about 400 C.

According to an essential feature of the invention, the frameworkelements of said partition consist essentially of a sectional memberwith a generally Z-shaped crosssection inscribed within a rectangle andpreferably a square, each side of which is formed adjacent to its edgeswith two outer longitudinal portions, and of cushion or covering framesfastened on two opposite sides of said sectional member, preferablytogether with an interposed strip of insulating material.

According to further characterizing features of the invention, thethickness of the Z-shaped cross-section of said sectional member issubstantially constant and the sides of said sectional membercorresponding to the parallel flanges or legs of its cross-sectionalcontour are formed with a central recess separating both aforesaidportions.

Both aforesaid portions of each side of said Z-shaped sectional memberare preferably of a total width substantially equal to the third of thatof said side.

Said cushion or covering frames are preferably connected to those sidesof the Z-shaped sectional member ice which extend at right angles to theparallel legs or flanges of its cross-sectional contour.

It is immediately apparent that a partition framework according to theinvention exhibits a very low transverse thermal conductivity in view ofthe particular configuration of the sectional member used, of the smallcontacting area between the cushion or covering frames and saidsectional member, of the preferred relative arrangement of these latter,and lastly of the possible interposition of an insulating material;moreover a framework element according to the invention comprises innerlongitudinal ducts or channels separated from each other by the legs oranges of the sectional member, said ducts or channels forming on the onehand air-cushions or spaces promoting acoustical as well as heatinsulation and capable on the other hand in case of outbreak of fire toact as Ventilating shafts, air-chimneys or stacks or flues inside theframework so as to reduce the danger of formation of hot spots.Furthermore, a framework element according to the invention exhibits anoutstanding mechanical strength, stiffness or rigidity since it may beconsidered as a tube or pipe of rectangular cross-section braced by adiagonal partition. Finally the ease of access to the abovementionedducts, channels or conduits by mere removal of a cushion or coveringframe allows to use them for running electrical and telephone lines andother conduits therein, the checking or inspection and maintenance ofwhich do not give rise to any problem of accessibility.

According to further characterizing features of the invention, saidcovering or cushion frames consist of a sectional member having asubstantially flat web of a width at least equal to that of the sides ofsaid Z-shaped sectional member and the raise-d edges or flanges of whichare shaped to enable the anchoring, clamping or fitting in of saidpanels or boards, said covering or cushion frames being desirablysecured on said sectional member by means of screws, bolts or the likeand possibly by means of resilient clips.

It is therefore apparent that the framework according to the inventionis of a very low cost, taking into account that the manufacture of thesectional member and covering or cushion frames may be carried out bysimple folding of sheet strips or through an extrusion process and thattheir assembly or mounting may be easily effected by unskilled labour orworkmanship without any particular qualification, provided with roughtools.

The framework according to the invention may of course comprise variousaccessory elements enabling for example the assembly or mounting of theuprights or standards and cross-members, the mounting of the transversefilling panels or boards and of bearing plates for engaging the groundor floor or the ceiling, as well as additional elements such as sealingstrips or tightening packings or facing, covering or lining sectionalmembers.

According to still another feature of the invention, said partitionbears upon the ground or oor, against the ceiling or any other adjacentrigid structure through the medium of resilient stop-means preventingany displacement of said partition out of its plane and the resilientaction of which is removed or at least materially reduced above adetermined temperature.

Thus in case of an abnormal elevation or rise 0f the temperature,resulting for example from the outbreak of a fire, the partition remainsretained or held in place but is free to expand within its own plane, sothat no significant stress or strain is exerted upon the -filling panelsor boards of the partition, the breaking and/or unsetting or looseningof which through buckling or bulging are thus avoided; in this mannerthe fireproof partition retains all its efficiency. Moreover and as wellknown, the resilient 3 mounting of the partition improves its acousticalinsulation properties under the normal conditions.

Said resilient stop-means comprise a member the mechanical propertiesand/or the shape of which are substantially changed above saidtemperature, said member consisting either of a spring or other elementlosing its elastic properties above said temperature or by a forcetransmitting element losing its rigidity or stiffness above thistemperature or, lastly by a locking element vanishing above this sametemperature.

Desirably said resilient stop-means allow to adjust the bearing orsupport of said partition.

According to a preferred form of embodiment, said resilient stop-meanscomprise a nut screw-threaded on a threaded rod and slidably mountedwithin a guide piece on which it is directly or indirectly bearingthrough the medium of a spring or other resilient element.

Taking into account the preceding arrangements, it is immediatelyapparent that in this embodiment, said member may consist for exampleeither of the spring made for this purpose from a steel having suitablecharacteristics or of the nut made to this end for example from asynthetic resin or still of a stop-element interposed between the springand the nut or the guide piece, said element being capable of creepingor flowing, of breaking or vanishing above said temperature.

According to still another characterizing feature of the invention,consequential to the preceding arrangement, the strips of insulatingmaterial interposed between the sectional member and the covering orcushion frames of each aforesaid framework element are provided withlongitudinal button-holes or stud holes through which extend the screws,bolts, clips and other fastening members for securing said covering orcushion frames onto said sectional member.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly when reading the following detailed description of an exemplarynon limiting embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show in susbtantially horizontal crosssection, a runningstandard or upright and an angle or corner upright or post,respectively, of a partition framework according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the assembly of an upright with a crossmember;

FIG. 4 shows the mounting of a base plate for bearing on the ground orfloor;

FIG. 5 illustrates an axial section through a resilient stop meansaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stop means taken upon the lineV-V of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a partition frameworkelement; and

FIG. 8 is a front View of a strip of insulating material incorporated inthe framework element of FIG. 3.

The upright, standard or post shown in horizontal crosssection on FIG. lconsists essentially of the assembly of a sectional member with a pairof metal cushion or cover frames generally designated by Z and P1, P2,respectively, effective to hold or retain a pair of filling panels orboards R1, R2 made from insulating incombustible material.

The sectional member Z the cross-section of which is of general Z-likeshape and inscribed within a square, comprises a diagonal web 10 and apair of parallel flanges 11, 12; the central potrion of each one of theparallel flanges 11, 12 is depressed or recessed so as to form on itsouter face a longitudinal depression or hollow 13, 14 separating aportion 15, 16 provided at the root of said flange from a portion 15',16 near its free end; thus, the Sides of the sectional member Zcorresponding to its parallel flanges 11, 12 exhibit each one a pair ofspaced portions 15, 15' and 16, 16 located along its edges andpreferably within a same plane perpendicular to the central plane ofsaid flange. Similarly, the two other sides or faces of the sectionalmember Z exhibit portions 17, 17 and 18, 18 arranged likewise, theportions 17 and 18 consisting of flat portions provided at the junctionor connection of the central web 10 with the flanges 11, 12 of thesectional member, whereas the portions 18', 17 consist of the freeraised or creased edges of said flanges, respectively. Both portions15-15', 16-16, 17-17 and 18-18 of a same side of the sectional memberhave a total width at most equal to one third of that of the concernedside of the sectional member; desirably both portions of the four sidesor faces of the sectional member are of the same width and equallyspaced, in order that said sectional member may be used indiffcrently inone or in the other of its two possible transverse orientations, thatshown in the drawings being however preferred for reasons explainedhereinafter; consequently all these portions or at least the portions17-17 and 18-18 are formed with like holes 19 of the same relativedistribution, so as to facilitate the fastening of the covering framesP1 and P2.

The covering frames P1, P2 are identical with each other and consisteach one of a metallic shape the flat web 20 of which, of a widthgreater than that of the sides or faces of the sectional member Z, isbounded by inturned flanges 21, 22 of a height substantially equal tohalf of the dif; ference between the width of the sides or faces of saidsectional member and the thickness of the filling panels or boards R1,R2; in the form of embodiment shown, the thickness of the panels beingless than the width of the sectional member, the covering frames aresecured to two opposite faces or sides of the sectional member Z, sothat their flanges 21, 22 are in oppositely confronting or registeringrelationship. The fastening of the covering frames P1, P2 onto thesectional member Z may be effected by bolts or clips (23' in FIG. 2)extending through the holes 19, but is carried out preferably as shownby screws 23 engaging the holes 19 previously tapped if need be and thebevel or countersunk head of which is sunk into the thickness of the web20 of the covering frame. In order to reduce the thermal conductivity ofthe assembly, a strip 24 of incombustible insulating material, forexample made from an asbestos fabric or felt is interposed between eachcovering frame P1, P2 and the appropriate face or side of the sectionalmember Z. Moreover a screw concealing or hiding plate 25 or other facingmeans of any nature may be afllxed as by gluing or sticking onto theexposed face of each one of the covering frames.

The manner of fastening the covering frames which have just beendescribed offers the advantages on the one hand to enable their easymounting or removal without impairing the behaviour or strength of theassembly, in particular in case of fire, and on the other hand to enablethe holding or retaining of the filling panels by positive clamping upontaking advantage of the relative compressibility of the insulating strip20 which also makes allowance for the unavoidable irregularities orvariations of the thickness of the panels or of the transversedimensions of framework elements. In this latter respect, it should benoted that the arrangement of the sectional member Z shown enables toexert a substantial clamping or tightening force upon the filling panelswithout said sectional member being likely to be deformed.

This arrangement also offers the advantage of limiting the possibledisplacements of the panels R1, R2 in their own plane by positiveabutment of their edge against the flanges 11, 12 of the sectionalmember Z and of enabling the insertion between said flanges and edge ofsaid panels of packings, pads, strips or hoses B1, B2 made from plasticand/ or resilient and preferably incombustible material with a 'view toprovide a tight seal at the junction between the panels R1, R2 and/or toimprove the acoustical performances or capabilities of the partitionwhich in this case may provide an attenuation of about 30 db-Furthermore, this arrangement of the sectional member Z enables to havean easy access by simple removal of the covering frames P1, P2, to theducts or channels defined between the central web and the flanges 11, 12of the sectional member Z, said ducts or channels being then adapted tobe used for the passage of electrical or telephone conductors and/orconduits, the mounting, checking or inspection and maintenance of whichare thus devoid or free of any particular limitation or constraint.However, as much care as possible should be taken that said hoses B1,B2, conductors or conduits or any other filling material do not fullyclose the relevant duct or channel at any point thereof, in order tomaintain the free circulation or flow of air along said channel or ductand thus promote or facilitate, in case of fire, the removal throughconvection of the heat brought to a possible hot spot- On FIG. .2 isshown in horizontal cross-section, an angle applied or a corner post orstandard holding or supporting two filling panels R1, R2 arranged atright angles to each other. The upright or post shown comprises asectional member Z and a pair of covering frames P1, P2, disposed andassembled in the manner previously described; the angle panel R3 isretained by a sectional member C aixed onto the covering frame P2 and inwhich the edge of the panel R3 is embedded or fitted. The sectionalmember C, seen in cross-section, essentially comprises a web 30 whichmay be flat or preferably as shown, depressed or recessed so as toprovide an additional ventilating channel or duct and a pair of doublyfolded edges or anges 31, 32, between which edge of the panel R3 isreceived. The sectional member C could of course be dividedlongitudinally in two parts secured independently onto the coveringframe P2, for example to facilitate the positioning or mounting of thepanel R3. If the panel R2 is not present, a sectional member 40 ispreferably inserted under the raised edges or flanges 22 of the coveringframes P1, P2 to improve the appearance of the upright as well as toprotect the sectional member Z against outer agents. The panel R3 couldof course form an integral part of a projecting partition in which casethe filling panel R2 would be held or retained by the post as previouslydescribed and as shown in chain dotted lines on FIG. .2 which showsmoreover a further possible arrangement of the sealing packings orstrips B1, B2.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of assembly of the sectional members Z, Zintegrated into a standard and framework cross-beam, respectively. Bothof these sectional members are assembled by means of an angle bracket Eone flange of which is secured by two screws or bolts onto the bottomand in registering relation to the axis of the recess or depression 14of the sectional member Z of the upright, and the other liange of which,fastened as by screws onto the web 10 of the sectional member Z of thecross-beam, exhibits a lateral slope corresponding to that of the web ofthe sectional member. Both anges of the angle bracket E could of coursebe laterally inclined to enable the fastening to the sectional member Zof a cross-member extending at right angles to that shown.

FIG` 4 shows in vertical section an illustrated embodiment of thebearing upon the ground or floor of a partition according to theinvention. As shown, this bearing is provided through the medium of abase plate S held by the bottom ends of the covering frames P1, P2mounted on the sectional member Z of a lower cross-tie of the partitionframework. The base plate S, shown as being a simple sectional cleat ofinsulating material, could of course exhibit a more complex structureenabling for example the adjustment of the bearing upon the ground oroor and providing a resilient bearing as described hereinafter.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a not limiting embodiment of a resilient stopmeans shown to be positioned between the ceiling and the top edge of thefilling panel R of the partition; this stop means could of course beused for providing the bearing of the partition upon the ground orfloor, as well as against a wall or upon a framing or doorcase element.

The resilient stop means 50 comprises a stirrup-like member 51straddling the edge of the filling panel R, said stirrup-like memberbeing made integral as by welding with a sleeve or bushing 52 the'innerdiameter of which, as is clearly seen on FIG. 6, is preferably largerthan the width of said stirrup-like member for reasons to be givenhereinafter. A spring 53 is compressed between the stirrup 51 and acylindrical nut 54 slidably mounted within the sleeve or bushing 52; thetop end of said nut comprises for example fiat sides 55 or anotherstructure enabling to move it along the threaded shank portion of a bolt56 the head 57 of which, formed with a feather 58, is anchored orretained in a small plate 59 aflixed to the ceiling by any suitablemeans.

It is readily apparent that the resilient stop means 50 which has justbeen described provides an efficient holding for the partition: as amatter of fact, the bolt 56, being held against movement with respect tothe ceiling, the sidewise displacement of the partition is prevented bythe sliding engagement of the nut 54 with the sleeve or bushing 52,itself integral with the stirrup `51 wherein the edge of the panel R isbuilt in, fitted or embedded. On the other hand, the operation of thenut 54 enables to adjust at will the force exerted upon the partition bythe resilient stop 50 in spite of the unavoidable irregularities of theheight between ground or floor and ceiling.

According to an essential feature of the invention, the force applied tothe partition by the resilient stop means 50 should vanish or at leastbe materially reduced when the ambient temperature in view of a firewould reach an abnormal -value for example about 300 to 400 C. For thispurpose, the spring 53 may be made of steel or other resilient alloy ofsuitable grade exhibiting a transition temperature of the order ofmagnitude indicated for which its modulus of elasticity is stronglyreduced. In an alternative embodiment, the nut '54 could be made from asuitable synthetic resin exhibiting a pasty melting temperature of theorder of magnitude indicated, so that the vanishing of the threads ofthe nut through creeping above said temperature enables its slidingalong the bolt 56. According to still a further alternative embodiment,the spring 53 instead of bearing upon the stirrup 51, could for examplebear upon a dog or cup hanging on the edge of the sleeve or bush 52,said dog or said cup being capable of becoming broken or of creepingabove the aforementioned temperature so as to enable the free expansionof the spring 53.

Of course, in order that the arrangements which have just been describedbe eflicient, it is preferable that lthe spring 53, the nut 54 or thespring bearing dog or cup, depending upon the case, be directly exposedto the arnbient temperature. To this end, it is sufficient to provide afree communication between the inner space of the sleeve 52 and theambient atmosphere for example by means of holes formed in said wall ormore simply and as shown on FIG. 6, by using a stirrup 51 of smallerwidth than the inner diameter of the sleeve 52.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further improvement according to theinvention which, as that previously described, aims essentially atassuring the efficiency of the fire-proof partition in case of a tire.Normally, the strip of insulating material interposed between thesectional member Z of each framework element and the covering frames Psecured to said sectional member for holding the filling panels R,consists of a material such as asbestos the mechanical properties and inparticular the brittleness and coeicient of expansion of which arefairly different from those of the metals or alloys forming thesectional member Z and the covering frames P. Therefore, in case of afire, it is advisable to prevent the expansion of the sectional memberand covering frames from exerting upon the insulating strip excessivestresses likely to result in its rupture and hence the removal of theinsulation it provides.

For this purpose as clearly seen on FIGS. 7 and 8, the insulating strip24' is provided with longitudinal button-holes or like elongatedapertures 26 through which extend the screws 23 fastening the coveringframe P onto the longitudinal portions 18, 18 of the relevant side orface of the sectional member Z. In this manner, the expansion of thesectional member Z of the covering frame P exerts upon the insulatingstrip 24 through the medium of the screws 23 no local force likely tocause the rupture Of said strip.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to theforms of embodiments described and shown which have been given by way ofexample only. In particular, it comprises all the means forming thetechnical equivalents of the means described as well as theircombinations carried out according to the principles, gist and scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A framework for a partition of the tire-proof type, comprising posts,cross-beams and other like elements for holding panels and other fillingstructures, characterized in that said framework elements consistessentially of a sectional member with a generally Z-shapedcross-section inscribed in a rectangle, each side face of which exhibitstwo outer longitudinal bearing portions adjacent to its edges, and of atleast one pair of covering frames secured onto two opposite sides ofsaid sectional member with the interposition of a strip of insulatingmaterial.

2. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that the thicknessof the Z-shaped cross-section of said sectional member is substantiallyconstant.

3. A framework according to claim 2, characterized in that the sides ofsaid sectional member corresponding to the parallel legs of its Z-shapedcross-section, are formed with a central recess separating bothaforesaid portions.

4. A framework according to claim 3, characterized in that bothaforesaid portions of each side of said Z-shaped sectional member are ofa total width no greater than one third of that said side.

5. A framework according to claim 3, characterized in that bothaforesaid portions of each side of said Z- shaped sectional -member aresymmetrical with respect to the central pane of said face andperpendicular to said plane.

6. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that said coveringframes are fastened to those sides of said Z-shaped sectional memberwhich are perpendicular to the parallel legs of its cross-section.

7. A framework according to claim v6, characterized in that saidcovering frames are secured by means of resilient clips engaging holesformed in said portions.

8. A framework according to claim 6, characterized in that said coveringframes consist of a sectional member with a preferably at web, having awidth at least equal to that of the sides of said Z-shaped sectionalmember and the raised edges of which are shaped to enable the clampingof said panels.

9. A framework according to claim 8, characterized in that said coveringframes, having a generally U-shaped flattened cross-section, compriseraised edges having a height substantially equal to the half of thedifference between the width of the faces of said Z-shaped sectionalmember and the thickness of said panels.

10. A framework according to claim 9, characterized in that said raisededges are adapted to clamp between them the edges of panels which extendparallel to said covering.

11. A framework according to claim 9, which includes a sectional membersecured to a covering frame said member being adapted to receive an edgeof a panel which extends at the right angles to said covering frame.

12. A framework according to claim 1, charatcerized in that the Z-shapedsectional members forming a pair of perpendicular elements of saidframework are assembled by means of an angle bracket, at least oneflange of which. exhibits a slope mating that of the webs of saidsectional members.

13. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that saidpartition bears upon the floor, the ceiling and any other backingstructure through the medium of resilient stop means preventing anydisplacement of said partition out of its plane and comprising a memberthe mechanical properties and/ or the shape of which are substantiallychanged above a predetermined temperature.

14. A framework according to claim 13, characterized in that said memberconsists of a spring adapted to lose its elastic properties above saidtemperature.

1S. A framework according to claim 13, characterized in that said memberconsists of a force-transmitting element adapted to lose its rigidityabove said temperature.

16. A framework according to claim 13, characterized in that said memberconsists of a retaining element adapted to vanish above temperature.

17. A framework according to claim 13, characterized in that saidresilient stop means enable the adjustment of the bearing of saidpartition.

18. A framework according to claim 14, characterized in that saidresilient stop means comprise a nut screwthreaded on a threaded rod andslidably mounted within a guide piece on which it bears directly orindirectly through the medium of a spring.

19. A framework according to claim 18, characterized in that the innerspace of said sleeve communicates freely with the ambient atmosphere.

20. A framework according to claim 1, characterized in that said stripsof insulating material interposed between said sectional member and saidcovering frames of each aforesaid framework element are provided withlongitudinal elongated apertures through which extend means forfastening said covering frames onto said sectional member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,667,242 1/ 1954 Kullmer 52-4613,423,896 l/l969 Widerby 52-395 OTHER REFERENCES German printedapplication 1,032,706, June 26, 1958.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner

